The holidays are here! It’s a busy and exciting time of year, especially for the many businesses that depend on the holiday season to pad their profits. It can also be a stressful time of year if those companies rely on shipping. The increased demand during quarter four can lead to a serious challenge for companies and their customers: holiday shipping delays.
What causes holiday shipping delays, though? And is there any way for companies to avoid them? Let’s look at practical solutions to help your business meet on-time delivery goals, even during peak shipping seasons.
What Causes Holiday Shipping Delays?
The hustle and bustle of the holidays can lead to shipping delays that affect both local and global supply chains. Understanding what’s often the cause of those delays can help business owners avoid them. Three common causes of holiday shipping delays are:
Increased Order Volume
Holiday retail sales in the United States reached $957 billion in 2023, and that number is expected to be even bigger in 2024. More purchases during the holiday season mean more products to get onto shelves and more packages to process. This spike in demand can lead to bottlenecks in the supply chain. Carriers can quickly become overwhelmed if they don’t have the personnel or equipment to handle seasonal spikes.
Weather Disruptions
The holiday season occurs in the middle of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, which can mean unpredictable weather. Snowstorms and icy weather can cause delays, especially for large trucks. While carriers do their best to keep things moving, bad weather can cause shipments to be rerouted, deliveries to be delayed, or even temporarily halt trucking operations.
Customs and Border Delays
The United States imports more goods than any other country. In 2022, we imported $3.2 trillion worth of products. Much of that merchandise is purchased during the holiday season, which means customs and border agents must process many more products than usual. If your business relies on international shipping to import or export your product, you can expect processing delays at the border throughout the holiday season.
3 Ways to Overcome Potential Delays
Some holiday shipping delays are just unavoidable. You can’t control the weather, after all. However, there are proactive steps a business can take to reduce the impact of holiday shipping delays and keep your customers happy. Here are three strategies you’ll want to adopt for the holiday season.
Plan Early
One of the best ways to avoid delays is to start planning for the holidays as early as possible. Forecasting demand and preparing inventory accordingly can prevent stock shortages during peak seasons. If you know you’ll have more packages to send out, inform your logistics provider ahead of time. Give them estimated shipping volumes and timelines to ensure they have the capacity you need to meet customer demand.
Communicate Often
Communicate with your carrier and your customers often. Set clear expectations about shipping times and potential delays with your customers via website updates, emails, and text notifications. The more you can manage their expectations, the less likely you will receive negative feedback even if their items are delayed. Real-time tracking systems are essential to this strategy, so make sure you work with a carrier with this tech in place.
Work With an Experienced Carrier
Partnering with an experienced logistics provider can make all the difference in overcoming holiday shipping delays. A proven carrier will understand the challenges of the season and have resources in place to manage increased demand. Experienced carriers will also have a range of transportation options to provide your business with the methods and means to help get packages to their final destinations on time.
We Help Businesses Deliver on Time
With over 100 years of experience, we’ve been through plenty of holiday seasons. We know the pressures businesses face during this peak season, but we also know how to make it easier. As a third-party logistics provider, Beitler Logistics Services offers nationwide coverage, competitive pricing, and the flexibility your business needs to meet the demands of the holiday season.
Our business is designed to help yours run smoothly. From freight shipping to real-time tracking, warehousing, and more, we’re here to help your business deliver on time, no matter the season. Contact us today to learn how.